Hammer news from Spielberg: Lewis Hamilton will drive for another two years and so until 2023 for Mercedes in Formula 1.
The team announced this on Saturday in Spielberg as part of the Austrian Grand Prix. The current one-year contract of the seven-time world champion from England would have expired this year. “It is exciting that we are extending the partnership for two years. We have achieved a lot together, but there is still a lot to be achieved. On and off the slopes, ”said the Brit (36).
Hamilton has been driving for the German car manufacturer since 2013 and will have been in action for the works team for at least eleven years. At the beginning of this year, the winner of 98 Grand Prix races had only extended his contract for one season. Hamilton is now looking at the extensive rule changes in Formula 1 in the coming year: “We are at the beginning of a new era of vehicles that will be challenging and exciting at the same time, and I can hardly wait to find out what we have in common will achieve. “
18 points behind
Hamilton has won six of his seven world titles for Mercedes and could become the first Formula 1 driver ever to become champion for the eighth time this season. Before the ninth of 23 races of the season this Sunday (3 p.m. / LIVE in the sportkrone.at ticker) in Austria, he is 18 points behind Red Bull driver Max Verstappen in second place in the overall standings.
“At the beginning of the new Formula 1 era from the 2022 season on, I couldn’t wish for a better driver in the team than Lewis,” said Toto Wolff, Head of Motorsport at Mercedes: “His successes in this sport speak for themselves and with his experience, his Speed and his racing intelligence he reaches the peak of his performance. “
Speculation ended
While Hamilton ended speculation about his motorsport future, it is still open who will be his teammate in 2022. The contract of the Finn Valtteri Bottas expires at the end of the season and has not yet been extended. One candidate is Williams driver George Russell.